KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul stepped in during today’s session to tell off Wan Razali Wan Nor (Kuantan-PN) for describing the recent women’s rally at Sogo here as an “LGBT march” on Sunday.
Johari pushed Wan Razali several times to give a verbal confirmation on his claims and that action will be taken should the PN rep’s statements turn out to be false.
Johari: “I listened in from the chambers. Kuantan (Wan Razali), are you sure the march was LGBT-linked? If you are sure, say so, but was it an LGBT march or a women’s march? Just answer that, and the rest please remain quiet.”
Wan Razali: “They (the LGBT community) were present there.”
Johari: “No, I asked whether it was an LGBT march.”
Wan Razali: “Yes, they were there.”
Johari: “Because if you say yes, and it turns out to be untrue, I will take action against you. So I ask again, yes or no? Or are you unsure?”
Wan Razali: “I am unsure.”
Johari: “Then retract your statement.”
Wan Razali: “I am not sure; I will retract my statement.”
Wan Razali had questioned why it allowed members of the LGBT community to march, saying that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier said that the country would not recognise their status.
“So, why was there an LGBT parade held in our country as if they received approval from the authorities?
“What is the government’s response towards the need to fight this deviant lifestyle?” Wan Razali said when debating the budget for the National Unity Ministry at the committee stage today.
His statements drew condemnation from government lawmakers, such as Syerleena Abdul Rashid (Bukit Bendera-PH) accusing Wan Razali of bringing up topics beyond the scope of Budget 2023.
Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas-PH) accused Wan Razali for confusing the Dewan Rakyat, adding that the rally was a Women’s Day march.
“You are confusing the Dewan Rakyat; those women are marching the streets to demand fairness.
“If there is a PAS march and suddenly LGBT people were there, does that make the PAS rally an LGBT parade?
“Go back to debating the correct topics.”
Police had opened an investigation paper in connection with the organising of an assembly and a march in front of Sogo Complex and Dataran Merdeka.
Dang Wangi district police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya said the march involved 150 people comprising human rights activists, university students, and members of political parties.
“Based on police observation, the participants were found to have gathered and marched while holding placards with words like ‘Imagine If Men Are As Disgusted With Rapes As With Periods, Child Not Bride, Trans Women Are Women, Police Your Behaviour Not My Body’ and others,” he said in a statement. – The Vibes, March 14, 2023
Additional reporting by Arjun Mohanakrishnan
